Wreck-indicating buoy



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WRECK IN'DICATING BUOY.

APPLICATION FILED APR-14, 1919- RENEWED OCT. 21; I921.

Patented Apr. 25, 1922.

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wad moses geozy W 6 21597222 Clbfow e1 UNITED STATES GEORGE W. GWYNN, OF SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH.

wnnox-mmcarme BUOY.

Specification of Letters Patent Patented Apr. 25, 1922.

Application filed April 14, 1919, Serial No. 290,057. Renewed 0ctober21, 1921. Serial No. 509,365.

nection with the vessel by means of a cable,

the buoy carrying signaling apparatus placed in operation when the buoy leaves the mounting means carried by the vessel proper and places tension on the cable connectingthe buoy with the vessel.

, 'A further object is to provide a signaling apparatus carried by the buoy including a wireless instrument automatically placed in operation when a given switch is closed by means of a spring or the like, such closing being effected by placing tension on the cable connecting the vessel and buoy; the signaling apparatus also including an electric lamp and means for flashing signals therefrom.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of elements hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a view of the buoy in side elevation, the buoy being mounted on a frame by means of which it may be supported on I the deck of a vessel,

,Figure 2 is a view in vertical transverse section,

Figures 3 and 4 are details of the signalling apparatus.

In carrying out my invention I mount on the upper portion or deck of a boat to be protected a structure including a plurality of frames which may be of the form shown in the drawings and there designated 10.

These frames lnclude downwardly extending supporting devices 12 which are secured at 13 to the upper deck of the vessel to be protected, the frames also including upwardly extendin members 14 provided with inwardly extendlng portions 15 adapted to directly engage and support the buoy. A reel 18 is mounted on an axle 19 in the frames 10 and serves to permit a cable 20 to event of the buoy being night, the time control unwind toany required extent to permit the buoy to rise to the surface when the vessel has been submerged, due to accident of some operate a switch 29, completing a circuit for setting in operation a paratus shown conventionally at 30 and esigned to automatically transmit wireless signals. A cabin for housing the wireless .apparatus and accommodating the operator is designated 31. A mast 32 is braced by means of guy wires 33 and at the upper end of this mast is a signal lamp'34. The antennae for the wireless ap-- paratus are shown in 35.

An oxygen tank isdesignated 40 and ineludes end portions 41. A rail 42 may be provided with cords or ropes-43 to which'life saving apparatus may be attached The storage batteries are shown at 45, any suitable number of cells being provided, and a time controlled switch 46 is so connected with the circuit for lamp 34 that in the released during the v ed switch will complete the circuit through lamp 34. This circuit will not be completed during the day time. Means for interrupting the circuit and producing the flashing of the light is shown conventionally at 48. I

Referring to Figures 3 and 4 it will be observed that the automatic sending apparatus is set in motion when the arm or catch 28 releases the spring controlled switch 5, completing a circuit through source of current 45 and a motor 7 The motor drives the drum 8 mounting spring held .pins 8 contacting with key 9, and opening the key for longer or shorter intervals,-dep,ending upon the period of mechanical contact and the size of the pin.

Tension of moderate degree on the cable 20 will release the catch 28 from the switch, permitting the latter to close, and more pronounced tension will produce se aration at coupling 25. It is needless to a d that the catch 28 would not be capable of standing any considerable portion of the strain transmitted through the main cable, when the buoy is subjected to wave action-hence the necessity for the coupling permitting detachment of the elements at this point.

The closing of switch 5 also completes a circuit including lamp 34 and the time controlled switch 46, unless the lamp is cut out,-

'vessels sunk by torpedoes and for transmitting signals by Wireless so that members of the crew who may be in small boats, may be picked up if there are vessels Within the reach of'the wireless sending apparatus.

What is claimed is: 1. In a deviceof the class described. a buoy and means for supporting the latter on the deck of a boat, a reel having connection with the supporting means, said buoy being freely mounted with reference to the supporting means, a cable connecting the buoy with the reel, a switch forming a portion of an electrically operated signal apparatus, a detachable coupling connected with the cable and means connecting the coupling with the switch, the switch beingoperable and the coupling being detachable when tension is placed on the cable.

2. In a device of the class described, a buoy and means for freely supporting the latter on the deck of a vessel, cable holding means associated with the supporting means, a cable connecting the buoy with the means last named, a coupling detachable when tension is placed on the cable, an automatic switch forming an element of an electrically operated signal apparatus, and means connecting the switch With the coupling, said switch being thrown to operative position and the elementsof the coupling being separated upon the movement of the buoy away from the supporting means therefor.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

GEO. WM. GVVYNN. 

